Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Have all the members got a copy of the recommendations? There are four recommendations, regarding the governance structure, to chapter 1, the need for a new national framework. They read:

The Committee recommends that a new governance framework be established for delivering on climate action, and in that regard it recommends [a number of suggestions] that:

1. New climate change legislation be enacted by the Oireachtas in 2019 that will include, with regard to a new governance structure: a. That action on climate should be considered a priority activity across all of Government;

b. the establishment of a new Climate Action Council to supersede the Climate Change Advisory Council;

c. The establishment of a Standing Committee of both the Houses of the Oireachtas on Climate Action; And with regard to mitigation targets and performance: d. A target of net zero economy-wide emissions by 2050;

e. A provision for a 2030 emissions target, consistent with the emissions reduction pathway to the 2050 target, to be set by 2020 by Statutory Instrument requiring the formal approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas following receipt of advice from the Climate Action Council;

f. Provision for five-yearly carbon budgets consistent with the emissions reduction pathway to 2030 and 2050 targets, to be set by Statutory Instrument requiring the formal approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas following receipt of advice from the Climate Action Council;

g. A target for the renewable share of electricity generation of at least 70% by 2030; and

h. Strengthening the statutory obligation on public bodies to require that they perform their functions in a manner consistent with the 2050 target and interim targets. (See Sections 1.3. and 1.4) Recommendation No. 2 provides: A stronger mandate, expanded secretariat and budget should be given to the Climate Action Council. That mandate shall include the responsibility for developing and proposing five-yearly carbon budgets. The legislation should ensure:

a. that the board of the Council has a mix and balance of both gender and expertise; and

b. the Council be given access to the data and expertise held by Government Departments.

Recommendation No. 3 provides: The Standing Committee of both Houses of the Oireachtas on Climate Action should:

a. hold Ministers and public bodies to account for their climate action performance;

b. examine selected public policy proposals for climate implications; and

c. Report annually to both Houses of the Oireachtas on the performance of the State in meetings its obligations.

Recommendation No. 4 provides: A coherent all of government approach, supported by the Climate Action Implementation Board, should be adopted for the delivery and management of climate actions. The central co-ordination and performance oversight role should be mandated to the Department of the Taoiseach.

That is an outline of the four recommendations, to which there is a Fine Gael amendment proposed. The Members will note it is on the draft amendment list. It is amendment No. 6.